Candace C. Bowen - Knight Series 03 (6 page)

Mylla looked from one to the other. “What is happening?”

“I would say your brother is here to assist in your fleeing with Sir Talan.” Emmaline moved further into the room. “Am I mistaken, Leo?”

“Nay, mother.” Leofrick shook his head. “You are not.”

“Is the justice truly as bad as all that then?”

“He is all that, and worse.” Leofrick calmly met his mother’s worried gaze. “If Mylla weds him I fear it could very well be the end of her.”

“I have feared as much.” Emmaline turned to her daughter. “Mylla, you heard your brother. Gather the best of your things together.”

“Ma?” Mylla slowly rose from the bed. “I cannot go. You know what the justice will do.”

Emmaline removed the delicate gold crucifix she always wore around her neck. Slipping it over Mylla’s head, she kissed each of her daughter’s cheeks. “You are not to worry about us. Now do as I say and pack your things. Come dawn, your father and brothers will be obligated to search for you.” Her gaze settled on Leofrick. “I assume Sir Talan is waiting close by?”

Surprised by his mother’s assertiveness, it took Leofrick a moment to respond. “He is waiting in the street below with the horses.”

“What about the justice’s clerk?” Emmaline asked. “Where is he?”

“Chaucey passed out from the drink Talan and I plied on him,” Leofrick said. “Simon and Merek carried him to one of the inn’s bedchambers.”

Gathering the smaller belongings from Mylla’s bureau, Emmaline wrapped them in a shawl. “His loyalties lay with the justice. Are you sure he will not make an appearance here afore dawn?”

“He is not as bad as we have surmised, Ma. Tis true he has done ill in the name of the justice, only it is out of fear he has done so and not loyalty.” Leofrick smirked. “Nonetheless, I would wager that he is unlikely to make an appearance prior to the justice’s arrival.”

Her leather satchel packed, Mylla stilled in the process of removing a russet woolen kirtle from her chest. “I cannot do this. The justice is sure to find us. He will slay Talan and accuse the rest of the family of aiding in our escape. Do you recall what he did to Lecie? I fear he will do the same to us all, only this time he will not fail.”

Emmaline hastily pulled the kirtle from the chest and held it out to her daughter. “You must find the courage to do what your heart is telling you to do.”

Reluctantly accepting the kirtle, Mylla brushed at the tears on her cheeks. “I could not live with myself knowing I could be the cause of your deaths.”

“Only God controls what happens to us,” Emmaline said. “Wherever our path leads after this day, the rest of us will face it together as a family. Talan is your family now, and your future. Do not keep him waiting.”    

“Mylla,” Leofrick said. “You must not tarry lest you lose the only chance you are likely to have.”

“Do not ask us to send you to an early death,” Emmaline added. “For in truth, being married to such a man will surely break your spirit which amounts to the same thing. Your father and brothers are intelligent men. I am sure they will come up with something to assuage the justice.”

“Is it true?” Mylla looked from Leofrick to Emmaline. “Do you truly believe he can be assuaged?”

“Give us a little credit.” Leofrick nudged her. “Even Edmund will have to go along with any plan we devise now that mother is involved.”

“What could you possibly say that the justice will believe?”

“Have faith in us.” Leofrick picked up the satchel. “Talan awaits you.”

“Your brother is right, you must go now,” Emmaline said.

Resolved, Mylla inhaled a steadying breath. “All I have to do is dress.”

“I shall await you below,” Leofrick said. “Have a care of the noise you make on the steps lest you wake Edmund.” His look was tender when he turned to his mother. “I would return to father lest your absence wakes him.”

“After I bid adieu to my daughter,” Emmaline’s voice wavered slightly. “Once she and Talan are on their way, return to the inn. The staff is loyal to Lecie. They will attest to the fact that you never left. Inform Winifred of our plan and she will handle the rest.”

“When do we tell father?”

“I shall confide all when he wakes, and shortly thereafter you will tell him why you found this drastic course of action necessary.”

After Leofrick left them, Mylla quickly dressed. Managing to bind her hair into a loose braid, she inhaled a steadying breath. “I am ready, Ma.”

“Do you intend to wander the countryside bare of foot?” Emmaline pulled Mylla’s heavy brown cloak and soft leather riding boots from the wardrobe. Passing the boots to her daughter, she listened by the door for any sign of disturbance.

Mylla’s voice shook when she finished and stood to draw her mother into a final embrace. “I am so afraid for us all.”

“You must have faith that all will be well.” Holding her daughter tight for a long moment, Emmaline released her. “God go with you always. If we do not meet again in this life, we shall surely meet in the next.”

“I love you.” Hot tears slipped down Mylla’s ashen cheeks.

“And I love you, so very much.” Emmaline stepped back with glistening eyes. “Go now.” She waited for Mylla to make it down the steps before returning to the chamber where her husband lay sleeping. Slipping off her robe, she slid beneath the cold sheets to curl on her side away from Richard. A soft gasp escaped her when he lightly touched her shoulder.   

“Has she departed then?”

Emmaline rolled to face her husband. “Are you vexed with me for going behind your back?”

“Nay, Em.” Richard lightly caressed his wife’s cheek. “Truth to tell, I should be thanking you and Leofrick for doing what I failed to do. My only regret is that I could not bring myself to bid my daughter a final farewell.”

“Leo spoke of a plan, yet I am worried for our family. What is to happen to us, Richard?”

“Do not distress yourself. We will plot something with our sons in the morning.” Kissing his wife’s cheek, Richard’s gaze moved to the window. “Get some rest. I have a feeling it is going to be a long day.”

Chapter Six

Mylla hazarded one last look around the only home she had ever known. She paused with her hand on the latch worrying once again what her actions would mean for her family. Hearing the soft neigh of a horse, she pulled the door open to quietly slip outside.

She could make out Talan’s outline where he waited beside a small brown mare with a sidesaddle cinched to it. Mylla’s misgivings warred with her delight at seeing him again. Rushing into his arms she held onto him until he gently applied pressure to break her hold. “I shall explain everything once we are safely away.”

Fingering his smooth shaven jaw, her hand trembled. “If I go with you the justice will have you slain.”

“He will have to catch me first.”

“Us,” she said. “He will have to catch us.”

“There will be plenty of time to talk through such things later,” Leofrick softly interrupted. “You can tarry here no longer.” Lifting Mylla into a tight embrace, he released her to kiss both of her cheeks. “Talan knows how to get word to us. Be happy, La-La.”

Mylla could only nod through her tears.

Leofrick lifted her into the mare’s sidesaddle. “Hook your knee around the pommel and grip the reins firmly. Go with the motion of the horse until you are comfortable in the seat.” 

“Thank you, Leofrick.” Talan effortlessly vaulted into the saddle of his black destrier. “I will send word to you once we reach the abbey. After that, whenever I can.”

“I leave her in your able hands,” Leofrick said. “God be with you both.” 

With a worried glance back at Mylla, Talan reined his horse around to await her.

Mylla’s gaze was drawn to the upper floor when a shutter swung outward. Richard leaned out to toss something heavy at Leofrick’s feet. Briefly locking on his daughter’s silhouette, he raised a hand to cover his heart. Without a word, he retreated back inside to pull the shutter closed.

Leofrick searched out the large velvet pouch of coins to pass it up to Talan. “I assume it is my sister’s dowaire.”

Talan accepted the pouch so as not to offer insult. “Tell your father I will protect her with my life.”

“If he did not already know that, we would not now be here.” Leofrick slapped the horse’s rump. “Go now. You are losing the safety of darkness.”

“Farewell, Leo,” Mylla whispered. “I have faith in you.” With a kick of her heel, she followed in Talan’s wake. 

The thick stands of trees lining the river gradually switched to the saplings and offshoots created by coppicing. With so many trees being used for building and fuel the method was created by the village to replace what had been taken.

Consumed with worry, Mylla heeled her horse into a reckless gallop briefly passing Talan. No match for the longer stride of his destrier, he easily caught up to her. He expertly guided his battle-trained destrier closer to the mare’s flank. In one swift motion, he stood in his stirrups to lift Mylla clear off her sidesaddle to sit between his thighs. Tying the mare’s reins to the back of his saddle, he slowed his horse to a more leisurely gait. “You are overwhelmed by recent events,” he said holding her close against his chest. “Take deep breaths to calm yourself.”

Safe in his protective embrace, Mylla wrapped her arms around Talan’s waist. “I cannot bear the thought of losing you.”

“Do you trust me?” Talan asked softly.

“With all that I am.”

“Then fear not,” he said. “Leofrick and I have worked out a route which will lead us well away from the justice’s reach.”

The sky gradually lightened as they rode west along the curve of the river Medway. Rochester was well behind them when the sun began to make its appearance on the horizon with varying shades of bright orange, red, and magenta.

Riding in silence for some time, Mylla reached up to touch Talan’s cheek. “Will you share the plan with me?” 

“I will share everything with you, Mylla.”

“You will?”

“Why would I not?” Talan smiled at her look of surprise. “From this moment forward, everything I do will involve you.”

“Thank you.” Relaxing against him, Mylla rested her cheek against his shoulder. “I did not expect to be treated like your equal.”

“You are my equal in every way, mon coeur.” Gently kissing the top of her head, he inhaled the rose scent of her flaxen hair. “Would you like to know where we are going?”

“Aye, I would,” she said. “All I know is that we are heading south.”

“We will continue to ride south until we reach the town of Chertsey. There we will take time to refresh ourselves. We will then ride until nightfall to an abbey currently under construction in the village of Reading. King Henry had it commissioned not so long ago. The master builder overseeing the construction on the tower often spoke of it when he visited Rochester. We will blend with the itinerant workers encamped there so we can rest and send work back to your family.”   

“Would not the justice expect us to send messages to our families?”

“It has been arranged for me to send messages to Winifred at The Wounded Stag,” Talan said. “She will deliver word to Leofrick when it is safe to do so.”

“What about your family?” Mylla asked.

“Tis best for everyone involved if I cut all ties with them,” he said after a long silence. 

“Talan.” Tears filled Mylla’s eyes. “Is there no other way?”

“I will not be used as a weapon by de Glanville to hurt my family, Mylla.” Tracing the line of her jaw, he lightly kissed her. “Please do not be sad. I am where I most wish to be and they will understand.”

“It appears you have thought of everything.” Mylla once again rested against him.

“Your brother and I have worked out the entire journey.”

“Where do we go once we depart the abbey?”

“We will make stops in Avebury, and Aust where we will hire a ferry to cross the Severn into Wales,” Talan said. “Our final destination is to the west in Aberdovey on Cardigan Bay.”

“Wales,” Mylla said softly. “It is so far from our home. Do you know anyone there?”

“Nay, I do not. It is isolated which is why I chose it.”

“You believe we will be safe there?”

“If I thought otherwise, I would take you elsewhere,” Talan said. “It will be rough going until I can build us a suitable shelter but there is game in the woods, and fish in the sea. We shall not go hungry.”

“I would dwell with you in a cave so long as we are safe and together.” Cupping Talan’s cheek, Mylla kissed the day old stubble on his cheek. “Did you shave it to disguise yourself?”

“Do you favor me with or without it?” Capturing her hand, he brought it to his lips.

“It makes no difference to me,” she said. “I love you.”

Pulling her tight against his chest he kissed her, his hand snaking up to cradle the back of her head to lay claim to her body and soul.

Afraid to surpass the limits of his control, Talan broke the kiss when she molded her body against his instinctively seeking more. Halting his horse, he slid from its back to lift Mylla down. “I think it best if you were to ride on your own for a while.” He kept his gaze averted by busying himself with untethering her horse. “We need to quicken our pace.”

Still reeling from the kiss, Mylla touched her lips with a look of wonder.

“Come,” he said, extending his hand to her. “I shall assist you.”

Lightly placing her hand in his, she stepped up to her mare. “How come you have never afore kissed me like that?”

Talan dropped his hand searching for something to say. In the past, it was his honor that held him back. He wanted to wait until they were wed. After the justice had asserted his will and laid claim to her hand, he could not dishonor her in such a way. “I suppose I am more of the old ways than I thought,” he finally said.

“You mean you are hesitant because we are not wed?”

“Aye,” Talan said, “contrary to what Edmund thinks, I would make you my wife afore taking such liberties.”

“It is not necessary,” Mylla said. “A priest’s blessing will not change how I feel about you.”

Kissing her tenderly on the lips, Talan released her with an agonized look. “Please do not tempt me. I have reached the limit of my restraint.”

“You are so honorable.” Reaching for the mare’s reins, she peered at Talan over her shoulder with a mischievous smile. “We shall revisit the matter another time.”

The sun had fully risen when they stopped by a stream to rest the horses. Hours outside of Rochester, the rutted earthen road became lined by thick forests of yew, ash, beech, oak, and elm trees.

Mylla unclasped her cloak to pack it in her satchel. “I believe the day is going to be tepid for a change.”

Talan skimmed the blue sky dotted with cumulus clouds. “God has indeed blessed us with a fine day. It is a good omen.”

“Do you believe in signs?” Mylla asked.

“I have always believed what we put into the world has a way of coming back to us.” Talan’s look was solemn. “I knew it was wrong, yet even had you not chosen to be with me, I could not have allowed the justice to have you.”

“Then put your mind at ease,” Mylla said. “I would say the heavens have agreed with your decision.” 

“Truth be told, I am glad of it.”

“Talan,” Mylla said thoughtfully, “had it been raining in Rochester this morn, would you have had a change of heart about us being together?”

“You are the only one who could have stopped me from taking the course we now find ourselves on.” Talan stopped in the act of pulling off his surcoat. “Do you think you shall have second thoughts?”

“I shall never regret my choice,” Mylla assured him. “Only, I just realized that you shall never again wear the Erlegh coat-of-arms because of me.”

“Mylla, because of you, I know what it is to love and be loved,” Talan said. “That is all I need in this life.”

“I often think you are too good to be true.”

“Let us be away. We can talk of such things at length once I know you are safe.”

“Mayhap—” Mylla’s words were cut off when Talan leapt in front of her. To the scrape of steel leaving its scabbard, he withdrew his sword in one fluid motion. It was then she heard the sound of galloping horses coming from the direction of Rochester.

†

“Leofrick!” Chaucey staggered down the hall of The Wounded Stag bumping into the paneled walls. “Where are you? Leofrick!”

Opening his chamber door, Leofrick stepped out into the passage. “Hells bells. What is all the bellowing about so early in the morn?”

“It is well past dawn.” His red hair standing on end, Chaucey’s bloodshot eyes blinked in the dimness of the passage. “The justice is expected to arrive at the house of your father at any moment.”

“Merde, we must have over imbibed last night,” Leofrick said. “Let me put my boots on and we shall be off.”

“I will await you below.” Chaucey attempted to smooth the wrinkles from his woolen tunic on the way down the steps. Unshaven, unkempt, and reeking of ale and vomit, he gave it up for a lost cause.   

Perched on the edge of the bed, Leofrick pulled on his boots while mentally preparing himself for what was to come. Concern for his sister and Talan had him stalling for time. Every delay meant they were closer to reaching the safety of Wales.

Chaucey was anxiously waving off an offer of libation from Winifred when Leofrick finally joined him. “What kept you? The justice shall have my head should I present myself in such a state.”

“Ahem.” Winifred planted her hands on her hips. “You have not yet accounted for the large quantity of ale you both consumed yester-night.”

“I will return to settle the accounting with you later,” Chaucey said. “Leofrick, I beseech you to make haste.”

Unperturbed, Winifred gave the panicking clerk the once over. “If need be, I shall send my husband to remind you of the tab. I would not let m’lady down by shirking my duties in her absence.”

“Woman, I am clerk to the second most powerful personage in the realm.” Chaucey looked insulted and stunned at the same time. “I assure you my word is good.”  

“Uh, Chaucey,” Leofrick said. “Should we not be off?”

Hungover and insulted, Chaucey left the tavern without another word. 

“I shall return when I can.” Leofrick winked at Winifred on his way out.

Chaucey switched from running to a sort of hop-skip in his haste.

Leofrick’s long strides allowed him to catch up without exerting himself. “Fear you not, Chaucey. If the justice makes an issue of it, I shall take the blame for our passing the night in the tavern.”

“You do not understand,” Chaucey said out of breath. “It will not matter if you take the blame. My employer will still hold me accountable.” Rounding the corner leading to the sheriff’s residence he slowed his frantic pace. “The justice has yet to arrive. I still may have time to bathe.”

“Our day can only get better.” Thumping Chaucey on the shoulder, Leofrick preceded him into the house. “The family should be breaking their fast so let us join them for a quick repast.”

“Did you not hear me?” Chaucey was again becoming alarmed. “I need to make myself presentable.”